Section 9 girls' soccer champions Washingtonville and Cornwall took different paths to the site of the state final four on Friday but the goal is still the same.

Both teams attended school in the morning before heading up to Cortland. Washingtonville arrived in time to take part in an hour-long practice, although not at Homer High School, the site for the Wizards' Class AA semifinal on Saturday.

"Practice went very well,'' said Washingtonville coach Jen Czumak. "The field we were on was gorgeous. The surface was great. The weather was perfect.''

The brief session was an opportunity to expound on the game keys for the matchup with Long Island champion Northport. Czumak's husband had an opportunity to scout the Northport-Massapequa playoff game on Tuesday.

"We do know what to expect from our opponent, and we've been talking about what we are going to do against them,'' said Czumak, who did not want to get into specific strategies. "We are playing a very talented Northport team. We wanted to get our game plan in place.''

Czumak did say the Wizards will not change their own style of play, but at least they have a better understanding of how to defend against Northport.

"I think (a scouting report) is important,'' Czumak said. "It gives you a sense of style of play. A team is not going to play the same game after game, but you find out if they are a technical team or a long-ball team. You find out who their ballhandlers are and who they go to. You want to make teams feel uncomfortable.''

Cornwall elected not to secure a practice time between noon and 3 p.m. "One more practice won't make a difference for us,'' coach Rick Miller said.

The Dragons checked in at their hotel and headed to the evening banquet being hosted at SUNY Cortland, the site of Sunday's finals. Some of the teams were going to perform entertaining skits during the banquet.

"This is the fun day,'' Miller said. "They have T-shirts and sweatshirts you can buy so they are going to do some shopping.''

Cornwall will take on South Side, one of the most successful programs in state history. South Side has won two of the last three state titles and eight of the past 11, but Miller is not fazed by history.

"Each year is different,'' he said. "We know that the best four teams are here. No matter who we play, it will be tough. We are here for a reason.''

Since Cornwall and Washingtonville don't play until 5 p.m. on Saturday, the coaches have to keep the players occupied. Miller is a 1973 graduate of SUNY Cortland, so he plans to take his team on a tour of the campus "to give them the college experience.''

Both coaches said their teams are in good moods.

"They are just very excited to be here right now,'' Czumak said, "and they're not ready for it to be over. I would guess upbeat and anxious.''